Billboard Bride
Counting on Love
Meet Megan McQuary the new Billboard Bride
By Laurette M. Veres
“I’m not a model, I’m an accountant, but I’m marrying a man who makes me feel like the most beautiful bride in the world.”
Megan McQuary met Jake Stephens during their internship at PriceWaterhouse Coopers in Houston. They both returned to Texas A&M for post-graduate work and started spending time together. Friendship blossomed into romance amid studies for their CPA licenses.
They spent countless weekends in Seguin, Texas at the Stephens Family’s lake house. After one perfect day: Rolando’s Super Tacos, massages at Sergio’s and margaritas at Rio Rio on the San Antonio Riverwalk, he popped the question while they were sitting in a rowboat on the lake.
Planning a wedding without a planner, Megan was overwhelmed by the to-do list. She attended the Bridal Extravaganza Show and succeeded in securing transportation, DJ, florist, and cake.
Twice each year, the Bridal Extravaganza Show selects a new face to represent the largest bridal show in the country on billboards in the greater Houston area. Megan is one of thousands of brides-to-be who applied for this honor.
The photographers at StudioCAPTURE were tapped to capture this young bride-to-be. From their studio to beautiful Buffalo Bayou, their expertise in lighting and composition provided the perfect citywide shot.
According to Taska Ventura, Billboard Bride sponsor and owner of Ventura’s Bridal, “The young ladies who apply for this honor seem to be more qualified each show.” As this promotion gains more attention, the competition becomes increasingly challenging. Megan selected her gowns for the photo shoot from the vast collection at Ventura’s Bridal.
Leah from Your Beautiful Face was on hand to create the perfect big day look. “You should look like a glamorized version of yourself on your wedding day,” she says. Leah used a blend of purples and browns to make her eyes pop.
Fantasy Florals and Sweets provided three custom bouquets for the shoot. The fall bouquet was fun and whimsical with tiny pineapples adding depth. According to Teri Butera, “a monochromatic bouquet with hints of plumb is hot this season,” she says. “We also provided a more traditional bouquet with pink roses.”
Get this look:
Photography: StudioCAPTURE
Gown: Ventura’s Bridal
Hair and Make-up: Your Beautiful Face
Flowers: Fantasy Floral & Sweets
You can be the next billboard bride!
Megan will appear on billboards citywide. She will also be on hand at the next Bridal Extravaganza Show January 8-9, 2011 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. All brides-to-be in attendance are eligible for this honor.
Heather Hess
Heather Hess – Winter 2009′s Billboard Bride
Heather Hess, the Bridal Extravaganza Show’s newest billboard bride, was one of over five thousand women who registered to win the big prize at the George R. Brown this past July. But her fifteen minutes of fame started with a weekend trip to New York City.
The Fourth of July is Heather’s favorite holiday and she was thrilled when her boyfriend, Paul McHugh, proposed a trip to New York City. At a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Hudson River, they enjoyed a spectacular fireworks display. Afterward, Paul said “I hope this makes the night even more magical.” He lifted his hand and on his pinky finger was a ring.
The engagement weekend became surreal when Heather and Paul stood outside of the “Today Show.” Holding signs declaring “She said yes,” and “He put a ring on it,” the weather anchor interviewed them. Heather’s phone burned with messages of congratulations. “I got to announce my engagement on national television!” she recalls.
At first, planning the wedding seemed stressful. Heather’s mom passed away two years ago. “I was crying for the first week [of the planning process]. It’s kind of a challenge without my mom.” Her groom stepped up to the task. “It’s becoming a more of a joyous occasion now,” she says.
Timing couldn’t have been better for her engagement. “The fact that Paul asked me two weeks before [the Extravaganza] was perfect. I had been waiting for so long,” she says.
Set to a pallet of brown, champagne and gold, her winter wedding is planned for early 2010. She describes her event as intimate and traditional. The traditional aspect has surprised her. “I don’t see myself as a traditional person, but the more planning I do, the more I realize how important traditions actually are,” she says.
Heather has saved and dried every flower Paul has given her since they started dating. She’s going to shape them into a heart and display them in a shadow box with a poem (at the reception).
She will carry her mom’s diamond pendant on her bouquet of roses, orchids and hydrangeas created by Carmen’s Floral Design. And she’s adding a dash of bling to her three-tier cake with a Swarovski crystal monogram. Her cake is from Cakes by Gina. Her strapless gown from Bridal Depot is cathedral length with a sweetheart neckline.
When she heard the news about the billboard bride honor, she couldn’t contain her excitement. “It’s like I’ve won the lottery. It’s especially meaningful for my dad,” she says.
“Everything has been so perfect and amazing,” she gushes. From the Fourth of July proposal to being on national television and featured on billboards all over Houston: “It’s a dream come true.”
Heather will appear on billboards citywide. She will also be on hand at the next Bridal Extravaganza Show January 9-10, 2010 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. All brides-to-be in attendance are eligible for this honor.
Gown: Ventura’s Bridal
Photography: Houston Photographer EVOKE Photo & Video
Jewelry: Loida Wexler Jewelry
Hair & Makeup: Your Make-Up Expert.com
Bouquet: Darryl & Co